From the desk of Steve Shultz:
Envy is never a good thing and the Bible has much to say about envy and being envious. I appreciate Sandie Freed taking the time to write on this subject. There is nothing good that comes out of envy and it can destroy relationships...especially when we "compare" ourselves to others in what they have and do. Instead, let's bless, appreciate and LOVE one another...yes!
Sandie shares here: I am always very aware that I need to be thankful for all of God's children expressing their godly gifting in unique ways. I'm grateful for awesome prayer warriors, intercessors, prophets, evangelists, etc. Let's begin to pray for each other rather than compare ourselves. After all, isn't that what "love" is all about?
This is a great word that we can all benefit from...enjoy!
Steve
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Sandie Freed:
Moving Beyond the Bondage of Envy
We have an enemy. Yes, a relentless enemy, named satan, who is relentless in his attempts to weaken and seduce God's children. Over the years I have written articles and books that expose the different manifestations of satan and his cohorts. I have extensively written on the evil spirit of Jezebel who was Israel's evil queen who defied God by seducing the entire nation into idol worship. I have also alerted the Body of Christ to the Accuser of the Brethren who targets each Christian's identity in Christ.
Over the years, I have been a watchman on the wall and positioned by the Holy Spirit to see and know the plans of our enemy so that we are not deceived by his evil intentions and, therefore, are able to break free from his grip.
Yet, there is an enemy that is a deterrent to our fruitfulness as Believers. It is called envy. Over time, I have experienced the evil intent of the manifestations of this weapon that is fueled by satan – envy. Dear ones, please hear me: Envy will haunt you, pursue you, and even hunt you down...UNTIL you are trapped in its web. As a spider spins a web for its prey, envy works intensely with poisonous and planned strategies to ensnare you. Coming into agreement will result in desolation, barrenness, and the lack of fruitfulness.
Before we talk more on envy, let me lay a foundation of why it's important for us to be fruitful.
Well, from the time of creation God gave Adam and Eve to be "fruitful and multiply." Anything short of that is loss and lack. Fruitlessness is a contradiction to our godly nature. Let's look at what God says concerning this: (Photo via Freeimages by zdelia)
"And God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man]; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth'" (Genesis 1:28 AMP, my emphasis added).
Okay. Did you notice the words in bold? If you will go back and re-read this passage, you will notice these key areas:
• God "blessed" them up front – before He declared their fruitfulness and their ability to take dominion. It's important for us to know that we are also called "blessed" by God! When the Lord declares that we are blessed, He is making a very important point – so, this means that we need to establish this truth about being blessed, because it concerns our identity in Christ.
To be blessed means that we are adored by God! Wow, think about this: He adores His creation – us! The Hebrew word barak, which translates as "bless," also means to salute. Dear Believer, can you imagine God being so proud of what He has created that He would salute His creation? To put it even more plainly, when God blesses us, He is bestowing His virtue and favor to us. The blessing is a gift from God and it is given to us because He loves us – not because we have to perform or attempt to be perfect in our own strength to receive it. A gift is to be received – not earned.
• After the blessing, God declared for mankind to "be fruitful and multiply." Being fruitful involves increase, so the two go hand in hand. The point I want to make involves being fruitful. Fruitfulness, in the natural, involves the edible product of a plant "fruit." But, a broader interpretation involves the "fruit of the womb."
Now, here's where spiritual revelation takes place concerning fruitfulness and increase. We are definitely blessed and are called to be fruitful in the natural (houses, lands, finances, etc.), but also when we are blessed we are no longer referred to as "barren"...in the sense of having offspring. And, yet, in the spirit realm, we are also men and women who are pregnant with spiritual birthings – moves of the Spirit – with a destiny to remain fruitful in the gifts of the Spirit. As you will read in a bit, envy steals and even aborts our fruit! Yes, envy causes us to live fruitless lives – not good! Keep reading, precious saint; freedom and fruitfulness await you. (Photo via Pixabay)
• At the end of this spiritual charge by the Lord, He declares that mankind is now to "take dominion." This point should be clear to us as we have been taught about taking dominion for years. After all, we are to pray that Heaven comes to earth, right? And as New Covenant Believers, we believe that when we receive salvation, the Greek word sozo, that we have been given health, prosperity, salvation, protection, and all that Heaven has to offer! However, if we don't first understand that we are "blessed" by God, how can we ever shift into confidence to take dominion?
So now, reader, settle it within your spirit that you are blessed! God has imparted His virtue to you and has declared that you walk in favor! And, that you are now positioned to be fruitful and take dominion.
But What If I Have Envy? Can I Be Fruitful With Envy Operating In My Life?
Okay. Now we are at the place to where I have intended to arrive – examining our hearts and lives concerning the possibility that envy is aborting our potential fruitfulness or causing desolation and barrenness at the present time. So, let's discuss the thief of envy. And, as you read, know that envy is a shoe that seems to fit most of us in one way or another.
I have to admit up front that I have struggled with envy since I was a child. I grew up in a very competitive family, and I was expected to not just do my best in my endeavors but to win or be singled out as maybe appearing "better" than others. Whether it was sports, board games, or school, I have always been motivated to be the best. I grew up thriving on praise. The pursuit of excellence is not a bad thing – but, unfortunately, it can cause us to compare ourselves to others and, therefore, become envious. Envy lodges deep within our hearts and takes such a firm root it becomes difficult, even painful, to uproot. But, when the Lord puts His finger on envy – rather than squirm in denial, we best just allow Him to reveal the condition of our hearts. (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)
Envy, with me, didn't cease when I became a minister of the Gospel. In fact, it seemed to get worse. When I witnessed my peers' successes that I desired for myself, I would become more and more disappointed in myself. I would push myself harder – attempting to prove myself – so that maybe I would become successful. It's sad I didn't remember that I was already "blessed" and walking in God's favor!
Maybe you can relate to pushing yourself also to be recognized or appear successful – and that you, also, have forgotten that you are already blessed and favored (recognized as greatly significant) by God! You see, envy is an internal pain that develops in our hearts whenever someone else is gaining recognition or achieving success that we desire.
Because I am a freedom fighter, I write to you about my own shortcomings, my past failures, and heartaches with hope that you, along with me, realize the power of the flesh is broken when we bring our sins into the light of God (see John 1:7; James 5:16). There is a divine humility that comes through our confessions. I am confessing my past – even satan's desires to resurface with potential envy – with hopes that you might also humble yourself and be healed. I am still a work in progress; believe me!
Envy has the potential to bind the progress of the Kingdom in our lives – even our regions. Envy can obstruct the release of your blessings and even adversely affect the blessings God desires to release to our cities and regions! Envy will block godly intercession that releases breakthroughs. Why? Because when we are envious, we cannot pray with a pure heart! The fruitfulness God intends for His Church is being obstructed by envy.
Envy Killed Christ
Think about it. It was envy that killed Christ. The Scribes and Pharisees were envious of the attention Jesus gained while He ministered on earth the first time. It is the same envy that attempts to destroy the destiny of the Church today.
Most of us don't want to admit when we are envious over someone else's giftings or successes. And we certainly don't like to admit that our envy kills moves of the Spirit, obstructs our prayer life, and blocks corporate breakthroughs. We like to think we've grown beyond such carnality and childishness. But, dear Believer, envy is still active through our comparisons with one another and continual striving to promote ourselves or prove ourselves. Again, it's time to remember that we are "blessed" by God and, therefore, that alone releases fruitfulness in our lives. He, Himself, promotes us – we need not look to man! (Photo via Pixabay)
A careful observance of 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 (NKJV) brings my thoughts home a bit:
"And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, 'I am of Paul,' and another, 'I am of Apollos,' are you not carnal?"
Envy Is a Trap From the Enemy
We must be careful not to think that we are infallible. I know it's difficult to admit that we are envious and maybe even jealous, but if we ignore the poison of envy, we will experience the results of a hard heart.
And, when we have developed hard hearts, we have positioned ourselves to not consider the supernatural! What am I saying here? I am trying to point out that when we do not "consider" what God is saying and embrace truth, we then develop hard hearts. Dear one, a hard heart blocks us from receiving supernatural power and manifestations. (Photo by Jennifer Page My Firm Foundation via elijahshopper.com)
I am fully aware that we are more than conquerors in Christ. However, the fruit of the Spirit has to be grown. We are walking out, daily, the manifestations of fruitfulness. We must remain on guard against spiritual pride, which says, "I don't have any issues...," "I'm above having envy...," "I'm spiritually mature and I am way above envy and jealousy..."
Wrong Motives
Envy opens doors to us having wrong motives in ministry. Many times we are compelled to minister in an area only because of jealousy and envying someone else. An impure motive is the result of believing we have to "prove our value." The result is religious performance rather than ministering from a genuine call and a release of a message from God. It's during times like this, when God is putting His finger on envy, jealousy, strife, and division that we must remember that our promotion comes from God. He has blessed us and, therefore, it is His desire to promote us! Consider these Scriptures:
"No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves. It is God who judges: He brings one down, He exalts another" (Psalm 75:6-7 NIV).
Peter wrote in 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV):
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."
"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up" (James 4:10 NIV).
Being Thankful
It's important for us to be grateful for all that God has given us. If we are ungrateful, we open ourselves up for envy. This is because we are more focused on what others have rather than what God has already given to us – out of His love! We must remind ourselves that His gifts are enough for us. He is sovereign and He knows what is best for us and, therefore, knows the best gifts to bestow upon us. (Photo via Freeimages)
When we are fully established in our identity in Christ, we can overcome our insecurities – thus keep envy at bay! Dear ones, it's time for us to focus our energies upon the war against the enemy of our soul that targets our insecurities and our identity in Christ rather than devoting energy to envy and strife.
In my recent book, Silencing the Accuser: Eight Lies Satan Uses Against Christians, I discuss different strategies that will thwart negative thinking and wrong focus. We have an accuser of the brethren who continually lies to us concerning our identity. It's true: The Body of Christ is witnessing an identity crisis. It's time for us to pray effectively, walk in spiritual maturity, and bear fruit. I want fruit that remains, don't you? I am aware that when we battle against the enemy of our souls that it requires specific strategies of renewing our minds. My book empowers you to tear down false beliefs concerning yourself and also false beliefs you have about God and replace them with truth.
I am becoming more and more aware that I need to be thankful for the blessings God has given to me and not compare what I have with what others might possess. This works both naturally and spiritually – being thankful! I am always very aware that I need to be thankful for all of God's children expressing their godly gifting in unique ways. I'm grateful for awesome prayer warriors, intercessors, prophets, evangelists, etc. Let's begin to pray for each other rather than compare ourselves. After all, isn't that what "love" is all about? Allow me to end with this profound Scripture. I'm sure it will tender your heart, as it has mine – 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 (NKJV):
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. (Photo via Pixabay)
"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
"Love never fails..."
Dr. Sandie Freed
Zion Ministries
Co-pastor, Lifegate Church, Hurst, Texas
Email: zionministries1@sbcglobal.net
Website: lifegatechurchinternational.com
Dr. Sandie Freed co-labors with her husband, Mickey Freed, doing the work of the Lord as a ministry team. In addition, they are the founders of Zion Ministries Training Center in Bedford, Texas, and Lifegate Church International.
Sandie has traveled nationally and internationally teaching dreams and visions seminars and on spiritual discernment. Her ability to adequately prophesy and discern spiritual strongholds over regions has released numerous breakthroughs for individuals and ministries. Sandie authored the book entitled, Dream On, and eleven other books, most of which are in several different languages. Sandie has been featured numerous times on various radio broadcasts as well as Daystar's "Celebration" program and "Life Today" with James Robinson. Coupled with her interviews concerning dreams and visions are the many other featured programs concerning overcoming eating disorders and generational strongholds. Her powerful testimony has ministered to thousands worldwide.
Dr. Sandie and Apostle/Pastor Mickey are ordained with Christian International Ministries, serving on their Board of Governors. They have been married since 1973, and have one daughter, Kimberly.
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